It was the third day of my visit to Isis-san’s castle. Time had passed in the blink of an eye, and I was scheduled to return home in only a few short hours.
I felt a profound sense of loneliness at the thought, likely because the time I had spent with Isis-san had been so genuinely wonderful.
We had read various books together and shared our thoughts on them. We had visited a gemstone mine, where she gifted me a mountain of jewels, including several intended for Lilia-san.
On the second day, Isis-san had joined me while I was bathing... We ended up sharing the bath again, and my rationality had been pushed to the absolute breaking point.
Truly, over these past two days, I had been by Isis-san’s side every waking moment.
I hadn't found it unpleasant in the least; in fact, it had been an incredibly peaceful and happy time.
Now, as if begrudging the little time remaining until Lilliwood-san arrived to collect me, Isis-san and I stood side-by-side in the highest room of the castle, gazing out at the scenery.
I didn't pull away as she squeezed my hand and leaned gently against me. Instead, I softly squeezed her hand back.
"I’ll come again, Isis-san. As many times as you like. I’ve already recorded the teleportation point."
"……Mm."
With her permission, I had used a magic tool to memorize the castle entrance as a destination. From now on, I wouldn't have to ask Lilliwood-san to guide me; I could visit whenever I pleased.
Isis-san had been overjoyed by this, nodding repeatedly with a lovely smile on her face.
"……Will you…… read…… books with me…… again?"
"Of course."
"……Will you…… eat…… with me…… again?"
"Naturally."
"……Will you…… take a bath…… with me…… again?"
"Ugh, o-of course."
That last one was the only one I couldn't answer instantly.
I mean, I’m a healthy young man, and sharing a bath with a beautiful girl should be a dream come true... but Isis-san was so pure and defenseless that I couldn't allow myself to entertain any lewd thoughts. Because of that, it felt like my spirit and self-control were being slowly whittled away.
"……"
"……"
Even the silence was comfortable. The faint warmth radiating from Isis-san gently healed my heart.
As the moments I wished could last forever flowed by, the time for my departure drew near.
Almost simultaneously, Isis-san and I sensed Lilliwood-san’s arrival at the entrance. I began to step forward with a heavy heart, but Isis-san caught my hand.
"……Kaito."
"Eh?"
"……Mnh."
"Wha—!?"
Isis-san’s body floated upward, and a moment later, I felt a soft, faint dampness against my cheek. Once I realized it was the touch of her lips, my face felt like it was about to burst from the heat.
"……I’ve come to love you…… much…… much more…… than before you came."
"……Isis-san."
"……I’ll wait…… forever…… Kaito…… I love you."
The smile Isis-san gave me as she said those words was far more beautiful than the snowy landscape outside. I was completely captivated.
As we gazed at each other through the sweet, warm atmosphere, a hesitant voice drifted toward us.
『……Um…… well, should I come back later?』
"Uwah!? L-Lilliwood-san!?"
I turned to find Lilliwood-san looking extremely awkward, and I spent the next few minutes frantically making excuses.
"Thank you for the escort."
『……No, I should be the one thanking you. I have never seen Isis look so happy. It is all thanks to you, Kaito-san.』
Lilliwood-san walked me to the Gate, stopping for souvenirs along the way. We exchanged our final thanks and farewells.
My first visit to the Demon Realm had been full of surprises and joy. Above all, I had truly enjoyed my time with Isis-san, and I found myself genuinely wanting to return.
Smiling back at Lilliwood-san, who continued to thank me, I stepped through the Gate and returned to the Human Realm.
The scenery shifted in an instant—and I immediately sensed a strange disconnect.
The area around the massive gate should have been teeming with people, just as it was when I left, but now there wasn't a soul in sight.
As I braced myself against the eerie silence, the sound of dry clapping echoed in the air.
"……Splendid, Miyama Kaito."
"……Phantasm King."
Accompanied by a high-pitched voice, the space before me blurred, and the Phantasm King appeared, her robes draped in chains.
"To think you would win over Magnawell so easily... My, my, I’m running out of words to praise you."
"……"
"Oh, please don't look at me with such a passionate gaze. You’ll make my heart flutter."
"……What is your goal, really?"
She was as unsettling as ever. She also took it as a given that she knew I had met Magnawell-san in the Demon Realm. I truly had no idea why this person kept approaching me.
When we met before, she said she was "evaluating" me. I suppose that meant this visit had also been part of her so-called trials.
"……Miyama Kaito…… Do you believe power can dwell within the heart?"
"What?"
"The heart…… It is the only arena where you, who possess only a fragile physical body, can stand on the same level as us, the Six Kings. I wish to see the strength of yours."
"……"
As she spoke, the Phantasm King walked slowly toward the giant gate. She reached the structure and began walking up the vertical pillar as if gravity were a mere suggestion.
"Ah yes, my goal. It’s nothing major, really…… I simply wish for you to ‘defeat Kuromueina.’"
"Wha!?"
The Phantasm King made her declaration in an eerie, almost joyful voice while standing perpendicular to the ground. She wanted me to defeat Kuro?
"Oops, poor choice of words. I don't mean I want you to harm her or anything of the sort."
"……"
"Let's see…… How should I put this? Ah, I have it: ‘I want you to save Kuromueina.’"
"Save Kuro……?"
I had no idea what she was talking about. What could "saving" someone like Kuro even mean?
"……I understand your confusion. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal everything just yet. However, I will tell you this: I believe you are the only one in this world who has the potential to dispel the darkness within Kuromueina."
"……Dispel Kuro’s darkness?"
"But at the same time, I am still hesitating. You are a talent far beyond my expectations, it’s true…… but I still fear you lack what is necessary to face her."
"……"
She wasn't trying to insult me. Even with Sympathy Magic, I couldn't fully grasp her emotions, but I could tell she was speaking from the heart. The Phantasm King stopped halfway up the gate and turned back to look at me.
"……So, show me. Show me that the wings you have earned are not a hollow vanity, but a true strength that will not be scorched even as you fly toward the sun……"
"Meaning you want me to overcome more trials?"
"Yes, exactly. Though you have already cleared three. There are only two trials left for me to impose upon you. I have high expectations. I look forward to the moment you clear them all and stand before me as an equal……"
"……If I actually clear all those trials…… let me punch you once."
The Phantasm King’s high-pitched voice confirmed there were two left. If the first was the ambush, the second was Megiddo-san’s arrival, and the third was the meeting with Magnawell-san…… then it seemed she appeared before me every time a trial concluded.
Knowing that running away was likely impossible, I glared at her as I made my demand.
"I don't mind. In fact, I would welcome it. You may punch me as much as you like."
"……Are you serious?"
"Of course. If you overcome all five trials…… as a reward, I shall swear my loyalty to you."
"……Huh?"
"If you wish to punch me, I shall let you. If you wish to see my face, I shall show it. If you wish to embrace me, I shall gladly offer up my body…… I promise to become your property."
"……E-Err…… What are you even saying!?"
This person had completely lost me. If I cleared the trials, the Phantasm King would become mine? The thought was nothing but terrifying.
Before my eyes, she vanished and reappeared instantly right in front of me. Even at this distance, I couldn't see the face beneath her hood; it was as if it were obscured by a black haze.
"——!?"
"However, for now, let me give you a reward for clearing the third trial."
"……What is this?"
She held out a bundle of papers. The text was largely incomprehensible to me, but I could tell it was information about someone. As I tilted my head in confusion, she spoke words I couldn't ignore.
"……It is information regarding the person who, four years ago, betrayed the Second Division that Lilia Albert led into a trap."
"Wha!?"
"Of course, this alone isn't proof. But if you show it to someone with deep ties to the underworld…… you might just catch a tail."
"……"
Just how much did she know? She even knew about the enemy Lilia-san had been searching for all this time. The rumors that all information eventually flowed to the Phantasm King clearly weren't exaggerations.
After confirming I had taken the papers, she quietly turned away.
"……Until next time, Miyama Kaito. We shall meet again when you have cleared the fourth trial."
"……"
With those words, the Phantasm King vanished, leaving yet another mystery weighing on my mind.
Dear Mother, Father——On the way back from Isis-san’s castle, the Phantasm King appeared before me for a third time. I still have no idea what she’s thinking or what her true intentions are. Of everyone I’ve met here, she is truly the most—the most mystery-shrouded existence of all.